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A seventh "medically fragile" child died of an adenovirus epidemic in a New Jersey nursing and rehab center, officials said Wednesday.
The New Jersey Department of Health said in a statement Wednesday morning that he "learned last night that another child hospitalized because of an adenovirus unfortunately passed away yesterday".
In addition to the seven dead, eleven other children are confirmed as infected.
Wednesday's announcement came a day after New Jersey health officials announced that an outbreak at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in the Haskell community had killed six children in recent days.
The Ministry of Health was first informed of the outbreak on Oct. 9, according to a statement from the agency.
"The adenovirus strain observed during this outbreak is associated with living conditions in the community and is known to cause serious illness," Wednesday's statement said. "The department continues to work closely with the facility to ensure that all infection control measures are followed." An outbreak investigation, with the help of the CDC, is under way. course. "
The health department has asked the facility to no longer admit new patients until the end of the outbreak and that they are in full compliance.
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Adenoviruses are part of a group of viruses that can infect membranes or tissues of the respiratory tract, eyes, intestines, urinary tract and nervous system, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms usually include sore throat, pneumonia, diarrhea and pink eyes.
"Unfortunately, the particular strain of adenovirus [#7] this epidemic is affecting medically fragile children whose immune systems are severely compromised, "said the state health department.
An infectious disease specialist told ABC News that the virus "can cause symptoms similar to those of colds and flu, such as a stuffy nose or an itchy throat".
"It's a very common virus, and we've all had adenovirus at the same time," said Dr. Todd Ellerin, infectious disease specialist at South Shore Health in Weymouth, Massachusetts. "It's rare, but we've seen the seventh disease become life-threatening pneumonia in patients with normal immune systems."
"It's more dangerous in children or immunocompromised adults," Ellerin said.
An inspection team from the state 's health department went to the Rehabilitation Center Sunday and another team from the agency returned Tuesday.
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"The team has found Sunday minor handwashing issues and the Department of Health continues to work closely with the center on infection control issues," the agency said in a statement. . "This is an ongoing investigation into an outbreak."
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said on Tuesday that he was "heartbroken" by the news.
"I have been informed by [the state health commissioner], who assured me that the Ministry of Health had recommended vital measures to strengthen protection against the spread of infection and will continue its active surveillance on the spot, "the statement said. I am confident that the measures taken by the state and local officials will minimize the impact on all who remain in the institution, including patients and employees. "
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